Jose Mourinho: This is what Henrikh Mkhitaryan has to do if he wants to play

October 28, 2016

JOSE Mourinho admits Henrikh Mkhitaryan is struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho: This is what Henrikh Mkhitaryan has to do if he wants to play

JOSE Mourinho admits Henrikh Mkhitaryan is struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan needs time to adapt according to Jose Mourinho

But the Manchester United boss insists he has no intention of selling the £26 million Armenian misfit.

The 27-year-old, signed from Borussia Dortmund last summer, has not been involved since the home defeat by Manchester City in early September.

He has been hampered by a thigh injury but, although now physically fit, is struggling to force his way into Mourinho’s plans.

Mourinho said: “Some players, with their profile they are adapted to come and play, some others they need more time.

“Time to feel the intensity and the aggression, the game without the ball, the competitiveness.

“Many times players come from different countries. The style of football is different and the reality is different for sure in terms of competitiveness.

“There’s no other country where it doesn’t matter the team you play against, you have to play at the highest level. If you don’t you have no chance. Mikhi needs time to become the top player he can be.”

Mourinho also pointed to his former Chelsea star Willian, who took time to bed down in England, as inspiration for the United man.

He said: “Willian, he arrived at Chelsea and had problems to play. He went through a process then after he became a top player, then the next season he became absolutely phenomenal and still is.

“When (Angel) Di Maria arrived at Real Madrid he also had to learn a lot about his game and a new reality.

“Sometimes it happens – sometimes with defenders but it’s easier for them. For attacking players sometimes they arrive and go straight to success. Other times it takes a little more time.

“In Mikhi’s case the process was interrupted by an injury that kept him out for about a month.

“To be out for a month in this process and then be fit but not fit to play you have to go through a process of getting match fitness then you need competitive level to do it.

“Of course we believe in him and of course we believe that sooner or later there will be no problem.”